Information please

Hi there, I have just had a pacemaker last month and my 6 weeks is up on the 16th Dec. Can I go back in the gym and start running again? Bit nervous as not sure what I can and cant do? Please help.

10 Comments

Cardio Rehab

by jimb - 2015-12-06 02:12:27

You should ask your doctor to get you into cardio rehab, they will let you work out while monitoring you so that you will know what you can do safely. Good luck!

Cardio rehab ??????????

by IAN MC - 2015-12-06 02:12:34

jimb may be right; it really does depend on your history .

Here in the UK, cardio rehab would only be considered if you are recovering from a heart attack or serious heart surgery ( which a PM implant certainly isn't )

You don't give any info in your Bio so it is impossible to advise but I was certainly running 6 weeks after implant .

Certain equipment in the gym such as rowing machines and weight-lifting should maybe be avoided for another few weeks but other than that, go for it unless there is more to your medical history than you have told us.

Ian

Thanks

by MWM1963 - 2015-12-06 06:12:38

Thanks everyone. I have heart block not sure which PM but with 2 wires. I'm quite active and 52 but want to get back into training again

Cardio

by Good Dog - 2015-12-06 08:12:15

Yes, unless your doc instructs otherwise, you should be able to resume those activities. Thing is; you should take it slow at first and work your way back slowly. Set conservative limits and observe them.
I personally waited 3 to 4 months before going all out. I'll tell ya, it was such a gratifying experience. The realization through working-out that I had no limits solidified the sense of feeling completely normal (a feeling of well-being). That was a real psychological turning point for me after worrying what the future had in store since the PM implant.

Sincerely,

David

Thanks

by MWM1963 - 2015-12-06 08:12:43

Thanks David. I needed that. After looking around I think I will start with light running and then after 3 months start light gym

Depends

by valley01 - 2015-12-07 03:12:05

It depends on what you were doing before you had your surgery and why you needed it. I got my PM for bradycardia and I ran a 5k 4 weeks afterwards. I was walking 2 days after PM implant, even push mowed my lawn the first week (neighbor had to start the mower for me) using one hand and holding an ice pack to my incision with the other.

Depends

by MWM1963 - 2015-12-07 05:12:42

I was running on the treadmill (about 5km) at the gym before PM. I have heartblock and that's why need a PM. Really would like to start again running on the treadmill soon. Has been 5 weeks on Wednesday. Slowly of course.

Get going

by gleesue - 2015-12-08 05:12:57

You can do pretty much anything you want. You were active before, so you can get going now. I was biking, lifting weights and playing golf in less than 6 weeks. You just need to be a little careful until the leads set in the heart. After that nothing to worry about. I started back on the weights using less weight and doing more reps.

Remember, they didn't do anything to your heart except insert a couple little foreign objects into it that have no effect on it.

My EP's advice, "if it hurts don't do it."

Jerry

My Restrictions were

by dhusemann - 2015-12-10 02:12:07

after 2 weeks full exercise was ok except for Golf and Swimming. my follow up was 2 days before I could lift my arm above my shoulder and return to work on that Wed. my wound was healing good, shoulder was still a little tender and since it was a us holiday weekend we decided to give it an extra week.

that wed when I was allowed full movement, within an hour I was mostly without pain. wound being the exception. shoulder kinks worked out. (have arthritis in my left shoulder if I don't stretch it becomes painful)

Just turned 48.

D

Running

by Fridleifur - 2016-01-03 12:01:27

Hi, I'm a Ultra Runner (or was) and I had my ICD in July last year. I was told to take it easy at least for 6 weeks. I got a green light on doing walks etc but no running or intense activity. After 6 weeks I started slowly to run again but still today I find it very difficult as I'm on beta blockers as well. But I'm sticking to this and even though the recovery process might take a year I will be running again. So will you. Just do not think about pace or time. Just think about the joy of being able to do this great activity again. Good luck.

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